March 28, 2025
Air Freight
Road Freight
In our latest article, we’ll be exploring the pros and cons of air freight and road freight, providing a detailed comparison to help you decide on the best option for your logistics needs.
What is air freight?
Air freight involves shipping goods by aircraft, either via dedicated freighter flights or commercial passenger planes. This method is widely used for international shipments and time-sensitive deliveries that require quick transit.
We’ve written about the specifics of air freight before, and for more detailed information, why not check out:
Air Freight 101 – Everything You Need To Know About Shipping By Air
Your All In One Cargo Aircraft Charter Guide
How to Read and Understand Your International Airfreight Bill
Air Freight Vs. Ocean Freight: Which Is Right For Your Business?
How To Make Your Air Freight More Efficient
All The Documents Required For International Air Freight
Air Cargo Tariffs and Rules: What You Need to Know
For now, let’s explore the benefits of air freight!
Benefits of air freight
The demand for fast, reliable shipping solutions has increased, with air freight playing a critical role in connecting markets. This freight option offers a range of benefits that make it a popular choice for businesses needing fast, reliable, global shipping solutions. Let’s explore the benefits of air freight:
Speed: Air freight is by far the fastest mode of transport, making it ideal for urgent shipments. Goods can be transported across countries or continents within hours, significantly reducing lead times. For example, while shipping by sea or road from Europe to the US can take weeks, air freight delivers in just a few days.
Global reach: Air freight offers an extensive network of routes, connecting major cities worldwide. Whether you need to send goods from London to New York or Tokyo to Paris, air freight ensures access to remote and global markets that might not be easily reachable by other transport modes.
Reliability: Airlines operate on strict schedules, making air freight highly predictable. As flights are less prone to delays caused by traffic or bad weather compared to road transport, shipments are more likely to arrive on time.
Security: With strict airport protocols and advanced screening processes, air freight is considered one of the safest ways to transport high-value goods. The chances of theft or damage are lower when compared to other freight methods.
Lower inventory costs: Thanks to the speed of delivery, air freight allows businesses to operate with leaner inventories, reducing the need for large storage facilities.
Disadvantages of air freight
- Air freight is typically more expensive than shipping by sea, rail or road freight. The cost per kilogram is significantly higher than other modes of transport, which makes it less ideal for low-margin or heavy goods.
- Due to aircraft capacity, there are restrictions on the size and weight of shipments. For oversized cargo or high-volume goods, sea or road transport may be more practical and cost-effective.
- Air freight has a larger carbon footprint than road and sea transport. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), air freight contributes to approximately 2% of global CO2 emissions. Companies aiming to reduce their environmental impact might prefer rail or sea freight options.
- The international nature of air freight often involves more complex customs and documentation processes, which can add time and administrative effort.
What is road freight?
Road freight is the transport of goods using trucks, vans, or other road vehicles. This method is commonly used for domestic or regional shipments but can also be part of a multimodal transport strategy that includes air, sea, or rail.
We’ve written lots of articles about shipping via road, so to find out more, why not read:
International Shipping Acronyms
What’s the Difference Between LTL and Full Truckload Freight?
UK Standard Pallet Sizes – Complete Guide To What Size You Need
A Guide to Customs Freight Simplified Procedures (CFSP)
What is the Difference Between Haulage & Logistics?
The advantages of road freight
Road freight remains one of the most widely used methods for transporting goods, thanks to its flexibility and accessibility. With an extensive network of roads covering both urban and rural areas, road transport provides businesses with the convenience of door-to-door delivery. In this section, we’ll dive into the key advantages of using road freight and why it continues to be a trusted choice for many industries.
Cost-effectiveness: Road freight is generally more affordable than air freight, especially for shorter distances. The flexibility to consolidate shipments and use less-than-truckload (LTL) services can also lower costs for businesses with smaller loads.
Flexibility and accessibility: Road freight offers door-to-door delivery, allowing goods to be picked up from and delivered directly to any location accessible by road. This flexibility makes it ideal for transporting goods between warehouses, retail stores, and distribution centres.
Suitable for a range of cargo: Road freight can accommodate a wide variety of goods, from small parcels to large machinery, without the stringent size and weight limitations associated with air freight. Vehicles such as HGVs (Heavy Goods Vehicles) are designed to carry heavy and oversized loads.
Lower carbon emissions: While road freight is not as eco-friendly as rail or sea freight, it does have a smaller carbon footprint than air freight. For companies looking to reduce their environmental impact, road and air freight combinations can offer a balanced solution.
Cons of road freight
- Road freight is considerably slower than air freight, especially for long-distance or international shipments. Traffic, roadworks, and border controls can cause delays, making it less reliable for urgent deliveries.
- While road freight is ideal for domestic and regional deliveries, it is less practical for intercontinental shipments. For long-distance international shipping, road freight is often used in combination with air or sea freight.
- Unlike air freight, road freight is more vulnerable to disruptions caused by bad weather, road conditions, or traffic congestion. Such delays can impact delivery times, especially in busy urban areas or regions with harsh climates.
- Fluctuating fuel prices can impact the cost of road freight services. While this is also true for air freight, trucks are more affected by fuel price increases, especially for long-haul routes.
Which is right for your business: air or road freight?
Choosing the right freight option for your business is a crucial decision that can impact everything from your costs to delivery times and customer satisfaction. Whether you’re shipping locally or internationally, selecting between air or road freight depends on several factors, such as the nature of your goods, budget, and time sensitivity.
Transit time
If your business requires fast delivery, especially for perishable or time-sensitive goods, air freight is the best option. For example, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and fashion items often rely on air transport to meet strict delivery deadlines. However, if your shipment does not have strict time constraints, road freight may offer a more cost-effective solution. The overall distance travelled also comes into play here.
Cost considerations
When budget is a primary concern, road freight is generally the cheaper option, particularly for short distances. Road freight is very efficient at transporting goods within a region or country, and it can be significantly more affordable than air transport for domestic shipments. If you’re shipping high-value or perishable goods that require fast delivery, the higher cost of air freight may be justified.
Type of cargo
The nature of the goods you’re shipping plays a critical role in deciding between air and road freight. For lightweight, high-value items such as electronics or luxury goods, air freight is a more secure and faster option. For larger, bulkier items such as furniture, machinery, or raw materials, road freight is often the more practical and economical choice.
Distance and destination
Road freight is ideal for short to medium distances, particularly for domestic and regional shipments. If you’re shipping across continents, air freight is a more viable option due to its global reach and quicker transit times.
Environmental impact
As businesses become more environmentally conscious, the carbon footprint of logistics services is a key consideration. Road freight typically generates lower emissions than air freight, making it the preferred option for companies with sustainability goals. According to the European Environment Agency, road freight produces around 62 grams of CO2 per tonne-kilometre, while air freight emits 500 grams per tonne-kilometre.
Choosing between air and road freight services depends on a balance of speed, cost, and the goods being shipped. Air freight offers unrivalled speed and global connectivity, making it the best choice for urgent or international shipments. However, it comes with higher costs and environmental considerations. On the other hand, road freight provides flexibility, affordability, and is well-suited for domestic and regional deliveries.
By understanding the pros and cons of shipping by air, rail, road or sea freight, businesses can make informed decisions that align with their logistics needs and sustainability goals. Whether you opt for road, air, or a combination of both, we can provide tailored solutions that ensure your goods are delivered efficiently and cost-effectively. Contact us to discuss your requirements today, and for all of the latest AGI news, don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook!